Archbishop Chama Suspends 6 Priests

The Post
June 12, 2013

http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=33994


SIX Catholic priests from Mpika Catholic Diocese have been suspended indefinitely for teaching Religious Education and other subjects in secondary schools.

Some priests only received the suspension letters dated June 7, 2013 and signed by Kasama Archbishop Ignatius Chama last Sunday after conducting Mass, while others have not yet received them because they are still in the pigeonhole at Saint Andrew's Catholic Church in Mpika awaiting delivery.

The suspended priests are Fr Benjamin Chisulo of Chilonga Parish, Fr Lawrence Chibwe of Chalabesa Parish, Fr Mark Chitamaluka of Mulanga, Fr Teddy Chilufya of Kopa, Fr Morgan Chikwale of Isoka and Fr Vito Milandile of Nabwalya.

The suspension of the six priests has been received with mixed feelings among members of the clergy and Christians in the diocese.

The source disclosed that the suspension of the priests had not been well received by most Christians who have accused Archbishop Chama of taking a firm stand on insignificant matters, while remaining ambivalent on serious matters such as sex scandals involving priests, some of whom have children.

The affected priests who have been directed to vacate Father's houses immediately have described their suspension as illegal because canon law states that an Apostolic Administrator could never suspend any priest or make changes in the diocese.

According to the letters of suspension, the affected priests will not be allowed to live in any Catholic Church institution.

The source revealed that the suspended priests were given up to Monday June 10 to vacate the Father's houses in their respective parishes.

But the priests have defied the order and dared Archbishop Chama to pick them individually and take them to their parents in a similar way parents took each one of them to him when they were being ordained to priesthood.

Some Catholic priests have signed contracts with the Ministry of Education to teach Religious Education and other subjects in schools but this has not delighted their fellow priests who feel that their counterparts were receiving more money.

During the Priestly ordination mass of Deacon Kenneth Chileshe Shula to priesthood at Saint Andrew's Catholic Church in Mpika last Saturday, Archbishop Chama said he was worried that some priests had abandoned their vocation to become part-time priests, but full time school teachers and civil servants for love of money.

Archbishop Chama was unavailable for comment by press time.